“The Gospel in Peanuts: The Church” 1 Cor. 9: 16-23

19 Although I’m free from all people, I make myself a slave to all people, to recruit more of them. 20 I act like a Jew to the Jews, so I can recruit Jews. I act like I’m under the Law to those under the Law, so I can recruit those who are under the Law (though I myself am not under the Law). 21 I act like I’m outside the Law to those who are outside the Law, so I can recruit those outside the Law (though I’m not outside the law of God but rather under the law of Christ). 22 I act weak to the weak, so I can recruit the weak. I have become all things to all people, so I could save some by all possible means. 23 All the things I do are for the sake of the gospel, so I can be a partner with it. 1 Corinthians 9: 19-23

We have the greatest news to ever be shared. News that can move people. News that can change people. Yet, sometimes we fail at communicating such a precious message in a ways that connects deeply with people and rings true. 

What Paul is talking about in this passage of scripture is putting other people first in order to meet them where they are at. The freedom he is talking about isn't about us, isn't about how we act or what privileges we have because of the Gospel - its freedom to be present in an authentic way to other people. Its about relating to people where they are at.

All too often the Church acts as if we will only share the Gospel when people come to us. Act like us. Speak like us. But that isn't actually being the Church of Jesus Christ - the church that is sent of the sake of the those who do not yet know the love of a Savior. 

Let us go forth, as the church, in the freedom Paul speaks about, in order to proclaim that powerful news of Jesus in a way that touches hearts and changes lives.